Internet disruptions have become more and more frequent as the general elections approach in Pakistan. In the current scenarios where everything can be done on social networking sites
In a recent development, Pakistan has been dealing with chronic internet outages, raising fears among its netizens.
This kind of disruption usually occurs when there is any kind of online activity by Pakistan Tehreeki-I-Insaaf.
On January 20, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) blamed the outage on ongoing system improvements, estimating a timescale of “2 to 3 months.” This news has heightened public concern about the ongoing interruptions.
During a news conference, Director General Ahmed Shamim Pirzada, Caretaker Information Minister Murtaza Solangi, and FIA Cybercrime Director of Operations Waqaruddin Syed received criticism from the public.
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The timing of the outage, which coincided with a previously publicized online event by a certain political party, has sparked allegations of purposeful throttling. This suspicion is stronger when compared to a similar pattern of disruptions on December 17 and January 7.
Minister Solangi confirmed the technical fault explanation, noting the risk of more interruptions. However, his assurances did nothing to alleviate popular disquiet. The PTA’s lack of openness, paired with the delayed resolution timeline, has sparked fury among Pakistan’s tech-savvy people.
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Compounding the issues, the PTA’s prior statement alleging a “technical fault” during the January 20th outage increased scrutiny of the regulating authority.
The prolonged internet outages call into doubt the credibility of the official explanation, especially given the strangely timed blackouts.
As this scenario develops, Pakistani residents face an unpredictable digital landscape, prompting worries about the possible impact on daily life, commerce, and communication.
The PTA’s handling of the problem will come under more criticism as the public seeks more openness and a faster resolution to the ongoing internet interruptions. Stay tuned for updates on the developing situation in Pakistan.
